State Ethics Commission rules against former IEDC official, grants waiver to governor’s aide
The State Ethics Commission on Thursday unanimously found that a statutory one-year “cooling-off” period applies to a former state official.
Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle
Articles
Dolly Parton’s child reading program operational in all Indiana counties
The program gifts free, high-quality and age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five on a monthly basis, regardless of family income.
Indiana strips nearly 1,800 noncitizens of commercial driver’s licenses
The law makes driving a commercial vehicle with a “false” CDL — or a foreign one, without additional entry documents — a Level 6 felony. An individual driver is subject to a civil penalty of $5,000, with employers at $50,000.
Natural Resources Commission chair upset with rules process that keeps members ‘in the dark’
Bryan Poynter said the oversight group has been “neutered” by a new system used by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to bypass the commission’s input.
‘Big five’ Indiana utilities defend rates in regulator questioning
Indiana regulators on Tuesday spent hours questioning the state’s biggest energy providers on their rates, customer service and more amid rising frustration from ratepayers.
Indiana utility regulators to hold affordability listening tour around state
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will kick off its 10-session tour of the state this week, after an all-day affordability investigation featuring the “big five” utilities.
Tolling proposal gains opponents as Braun says only ‘if it makes sense’
The state released its bid to toll Interstate 70 this month after a public records request by the Capital Chronicle. The east-west route would be widened to six lanes, border to border.
Indiana retailers, shoppers say new SNAP restrictions ‘a pain’
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — the nation’s largest anti-hunger initiative — serves more than a half-million low-income Indiana residents.
Braun declines to sign needle exchange legislation
A bill letting Indiana counties continue syringe service programs became law Monday without Indiana Gov. Mike Braun’s signature.
Governor signs bills on immigration, homelessness and dozens more
Four dozen bills became law Thursday after nabbing Gov. Mike Braun’s signature. Another round of bills is expected to hit his desk soon.
Indiana opens applications for rural health grants in partial offset of federal Medicaid cuts
The Growing Rural Opportunities for Wellbeing grant program was allotted $120 million in its initial year.
Indiana governor touts agency, agenda bill successes after session
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun says his administration got almost nine in every 10 agency and agenda bills over the finish line during his second session.
‘Public camping’ ban targeting homelessness heads to governor
The measure bans camping, sleeping or long-term sheltering on land owned by the state or a unit of local government — and establishes a Class C misdemeanor for violations.
Smorgasbord of bills pass Indiana Senate as session nears close
Legislation creating a “military police force” of Indiana National Guard members — to be deployed around the state at the governor’s behest — overwhelmingly passed the Senate on Tuesday despite bipartisan opposition. The Senate also approved more than three dozen other bills.
Indiana hemp drug ban, early voting restrictions, tort reform die at House deadline
Several bills met their end Monday after Indiana House lawmakers declined to call them down ahead of a second reading deadline.
Indiana public camping ban moves to House floor
Supporters frame as compassionate approach, while opponents say lack of resources could lead to jail time and fines.
Indiana Senate passes bill aiding low-income utility customers, requiring multiyear rate plans
Crime, crypto and more get floor votes, with concurrences or compromises to come.
Indiana leaders push conservative-backed national debt denunciation
House Resolution 28 recognizes the national debt as a national security threat and calls on Congress to establish “an effective regular order for budgeting.”
State tackles penny-rounding policies amid national shortage
Indiana lawmakers are crafting statewide penny-rounding policies as Hoosier retailers struggle through a shortage of the discontinued coin — but admit it needs more work.
Environmental deregulation bill narrowly passes House committee
The bill’s author said it would would eliminate “unnecessary” mandates and “needless” reporting or paperwork requirements.